A member of the British Royal Family has come out as gay

Lord Ivar Mountbatten, a cousin of Queen Elizabeth, has become the first member of the British royal family to come out as gay.

53-year-old Mountbatten, who is a father to three children with his ex-wife Penelope Thompson, told The Mail on Sunday newspaper about his personal struggles about coming to terms with his sexuality, however revealed he is now happy in his relationship with partner James Coyle, an airline cabin services director.

"Penny was aware before we got married," the great-great-great-grandson of Queen Victoria; great-nephew of Earl Mountbatten of Burma; and cousin to the Queen said.

"I told her I was bisexual, that my attraction went both ways. She was understanding and I will always be grateful to her.

Lord Ivar Mountbatten (left), with boyfriend James Coyle (right)

Les Wilson.com

He continued: "'Coming out’ is such a funny phrase but it's what I suppose I did in a rather roundabout way, emerging to a place I'm happy to be.

"I have struggled with my sexuality and in some ways I still do; it has been a real journey to reach this point,” he admitted.

Lord Ivar married Penny in 1994, however the couple divorced in 2011, letting it be known they had drifted apart.